Integrated Rural Health
The Integrated Rural Health (IRH) portfolio is led by Vice President Brenda Schwan and Physician Executive Dr. Johann Roodt. The geography this portfolio covers is vast and includes both the south west and south east areas of the SHA with Senior Leadership for Acute Care, Continuing Care and Primary Health Care. IRH provides rural citizens in the southern part of the province with timely access to high quality, integrated, team delivered health services as close to home as possible throughout their life span. These sustainable services will be delivered with reliability, continuity and consistency and will be accomplished by focusing on health promotion by inter-sectoral, community-designed teams. In total, Executive Leadership and Senior Leadership for Integrated Rural Health is comprised of 10 members, who are geographically located within the southern portion of the province.
Leadership Team
Brenda Schwan - Vice President, Integrated Rural Health
Brenda Schwan is the Vice President for Integrated Rural Health. She is based out of Swift Current and her previous roles within Integrated Rural Health were Executive Director of Primary Health Care and Rural Continuing Care.
Brenda has over twenty years of leadership experience in the health system. She brings significant knowledge and expertise to her role with an early background in Human Resources. She is an experienced executive leader in both corporate and clinical operations settings. Over the years, she has focused efforts on enhancing the experience of residents in long term care. This passion for long term care became a vision at The Meadows long term care facility in Swift Current where she was recognized for her efforts by winning the Premier’s Aware for Excellence in the Public Service and the National Award from The Canadian Council for Public-Private-Partnerships. Most recently Brenda was leading the work on Health Network development for the province.
Dr. Johann Roodt - Physician Executive, Integrated Rural Health
Dr. Johann Roodt is the Physician Executive for Integrated Rural Health. He is based out of Yorkton and continues to work in Emergency Department and In-patient wards in Yorkton Regional Health Centre. He graduated from the University of Pretoria School of Medicine in South Africa. After immigrating to Canada he worked with the Saskatchewan Medical Association Rural Relief Program in over 30 rural communities in Saskatchewan before setting up family practice in Yorkton.
Dr Roodt previously served in various leadership roles as Chief of Primary Health Care, Regional Medical Association President and Past President, Area Division Lead for Family Medicine South East 4 and Integrated Rural Health – IHICC. In addition to clinical practice Dr Roodt is also an Assistant Professor with the University of Saskatchewan, SIPPA program.
Leila McClarty - Executive Director, Continuing Care (Provincial)
Leila has over 35 years of experience in health care and over 25 years in advancing management positions. She has diverse project experience and enjoys leading people, projects and programs through development, implementation and change. She was the Executive Director of Clinical Integration in Integrated Rural Health and built a team that supports improving the patient experience, ensuring better outcomes and improving clinical experience. Leila believes in working collaboratively to achieve high-quality patient directed care and is leading the development in the Continuing Care service line.
Gayle Riendeau - Executive Director, Acute Care Southwest
Gayle Riendeau comes to her new role from her position as Vice President of Health Services in the former Heartland Health Region where she was responsible for Acute Care, Long Term Care, Homecare and Emergency Medical Services. In addition, Riendeau also recently served as the Region’s Interim President and CEO.
Gayle has an extensive nursing background and progressive leadership experience having been employed in rural health care settings in Alberta and Saskatchewan for more than 34 years, as a frontline Registered Nurse, Director of Nursing, Care Team Manager and Director of Acute Care Services.
Gayle graduated with a Diploma of Nursing from Kelsey Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Saskatoon and later from the University of Saskatchewan, College of Commerce with a Certificate in Health Care Administration (Acute Care). She holds active registration status with the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association.
Gayle is committed to the provision of high quality, patient-first health services. As the new Executive Director of Rural Acute Care she looks forward to working collaboratively, as one, to improve the coordination and delivery of health services and patient care for those we serve.
Roberta Wiwcharuk - Executive Director, Acute Care Southeast
Roberta Wiwcharuk has an extensive background in health care, previously holding the position of Vice President of Integrated Health Services in the former Sunrise Health Region. As the Executive Director of Acute Care, Roberta will be accountable for the operational oversight, integration and strategic direction for the delivery of all Acute Care programming in the geographic area. She looks forward to working with and leading the team in Acute Care, as well as helping to support strong engagement and cross functional management throughout the organization.
Roberta has worked as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, X-Ray Assistant and a Registered Nurse. Her management positions include Nurse Administrator, Health Services Manager, Director of Health Services and Vice President of Integrated Health Services in the former Sunrise Health Region. In her previous position she was responsible for all Acute Care services in Regional, District and Community Hospitals, Long Term Care, Diagnostics, Pharmacy, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Preparedness, Infection Prevention and Control and Interprofessional Practice.
Roberta graduated with a diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology and X-Ray Assistant from the Red River Community College in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She graduated with a nursing diploma from the Brandon General Hospital School of Nursing in Brandon, Manitoba and has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Saskatchewan. She has completed the Lean Leader Certification and has also completed the Saskatchewan Institute of Health Leadership Program. Roberta holds an active registration with the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association.
Roberta is dedicated to delivering high quality, safe, patient and family centered care and is committed to meeting the health care needs of the people of Saskatchewan.
Karen Abrey - Executive Director, Continuing Care
Karen is a Registered Nurse and comes to this role with over 36 years experience in both Primary Health care and Continuing Care settings, most recently as Director of Continue Care for the SW. She has worked within Occupational Health nursing both in private and public sector and within the educational system of Rural Community colleges. Karen is a SIAST graduate in Diploma Nursing as well as a Diploma trained Gerontology and Occupational Health nurse. She has completed the Saskatchewan Leadership Program and currently enrolled in the Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Program. Her commitment to advocating for resident-directed care supports the development of partnerships within the System and partners in Health to ensure the right care in the right place. Karen is committed to supporting her passion of providing a high standard in quality of life for residents that supports recognition of individuality and the right to choice while partnering with families to support best possible care.
Krista Barnett - Interim Executive Director, Primary Health Care Southwest (North)
Krista Barnett has over 20 years experience in interdisciplinary team-based care having worked in Acute Care, Primary Health Care and Continuing Care. Most recently she has been the Director of Clinical Integration Program Development within Integrated Rural Health. She is recognized as a strong advocate for vulnerable populations and First Nations’ communities as well as providing safe, quality care as close to home.
Kelly Fish - Interim Executive Director, Primary Health Care Southwest (South)
Kelly Fish has over 30 years of experience in interdisciplinary team-based care having worked as a Registered Nurse in Acute Care, Home Care, Primary Health Care and Long Term Care. Most recently she has been the Director of Continuing Care within Integrated Rural Health. She is a strong advocate for patient and family-centred philosophy of care and committed to ensuring safe, quality care is available.
Jacquie Holzmann - Executive Director, Primary Health Care Southeast (North)
As an Executive Director of Primary Health Care within the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Jacquie Holzmann will provide leadership for Integrated Rural Health in the areas of Mental Health and Addictions, Primary Health Care, Population and Public Health, Therapies, Home Care and Facility-based Services.
Throughout her career Jacquie has held a number of leadership positions, which include Interim Vice President of Integrated Primary Health Services, Director of Integrated Primary Health Services and Director of Therapies in the former Sunrise Health Region. She has worked in two provinces in a variety of rural and urban settings as a physical therapist prior to moving into formal leadership roles.
Jacquie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Saskatchewan. She received her Masters of Health Management from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Jacquie is licensed with the Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists and is a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders. She also earned her Lean Leader Certification.
Jacquie is committed to supporting the better coordination of health services throughout Saskatchewan, improving access to services, and patient care and experiences in rural Saskatchewan.
Jacqui Kennett-Peppler - Executive Director, Primary Health Care Southeast (South)
Jacqui Kennett-Peppler comes to her role from her position as Director of Rural Primary Health Care Services where she was responsible for all rural health services including long term care, acute care and primary health care. Jacqui has a diverse health background of 25 years’ experience in various areas in frontline Registered Nurse and leadership roles in urban and rural.
Jacqui holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Alberta and holds active registration status with the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association.